County residents may dispose of their Christmas trees in an environmentally friendly way by dropping them at the mulching site at Lancaster County Central Park, 1 Nature's Way, Lancaster. Trees may be dropped off between dawn and dusk through Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The park mulching program is for Christmas trees only. No other yard waste will be accepted. Trees must be free of decorations, lights, plastic bags, and hardware, including nails in the trunk. There is a limit of three trees per vehicle. Commercial haulers are strongly advised to contact their local municipalities for their respective Christmas tree recycling locations.

There is a suggested nominal donation for each tree. Donations will benefit the operation of the Dr. John Moss Native Tree Nursery in Central Park. Trees from the nursery are utilized throughout the Lancaster County Park System. A portion of the funds are used to purchase emerald ash borer protection for about 26 ash trees in Lancaster County Central Park and Buchmiller County Park.

According to park officials, residents drop off about 1,000 Christmas trees each year, which produce 15 tons of mulch. The mulch is ideal for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas, and many deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs that require slightly acidic soil conditions. The mulch will be available to residents on a first-come, first-served basis after Jan. 4, near the tree drop-off site. Persons desiring free mulch should bring a pitchfork or shovel and a bag or a trailer to transport it home.

For more information about the Christmas tree mulching program, call the park office at 717-299-8215 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation, visit http://www.lancastercountyparks.org.